Fifty Shades of Grey

February 2018

DETROIT, MICHIGAN

Detroit may be the graffiti capital of the world, but leadership with the city remained firm in its commitment to have all outdoor wall advertisements downtown removed by the end of 2017. Businesses, many of which remained operational as the city filed for bankruptcy with an estimated $18-$20 billion in debt, had been collecting $4,000-$10,000 a month by letting anyone—from local sports teams, supermarkets, and banks to Comcast and Apple—paint their building exteriors with ads. The controlling ordinance went into effect in the late 1990s when ads predominantly featured smoking, drinking, gambling, and inappropriately-dressed women. Existing signs were grandfathered-in, and city officials only began enforcing the ordinance last year. The new reason was to prevent the city from becoming a little Times Square. Penalties began with $200 fines that could escalate to $1,500. Businesses remaining uncooperative risked being charged with criminal misdemeanors and forfeiting their property. Outdoor advertiser Brooklyn Outdoor, which has been removing the signs, reports it has turned away several brands eager to advertise in the new year.